HOCHTIEF, in partnership with cloud solutions provider IONOS Group, has expressed interest in constructing and operating an AI ‘Gigafactory’ in Europe.
The expression of interest (EoI), submitted to the European Commission (EC), outlines a project that will initially feature over 50,000 graphics processing units (GPUs), with the potential to scale up to over 100,000 GPUs.
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These facilities will be fully integrated into European standards, with an aim to improve the region’s AI capabilities, a statement from HOCHTIEF said.
The proposed high-performance data centre infrastructure, utilising the latest GPU technology, is expected to commence operations by 2027.
The EU is stated to have plans to invest €20bn ($23bn) in five AI Gigafactories.
The EC will detail the next phases of the selection process in the coming months, as the consortium prepares to refine its plans.
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By GlobalDataHOCHTIEF, engaged in data centre development and construction, offers expertise across planning, financing, construction, operation, and digital infrastructure.
The company has implemented around 6GW of projects, focusing on sustainable solutions that optimise the entire life cycle of data centres.
IONOS Group, meanwhile, with over three decades of experience in digitalisation and cloud infrastructure operation, provides the technological foundation for the General Data Protection Regulation-compliant operation of scalable AI workloads.
The consortium also includes specialised technology, utility, security companies, and research and development institutions.
The financing for the project will follow a standard industry structure, using equity, partnership models, and debt financing, complemented by targeted EU funding.
Last month, the joint venture of construction and real-estate provider Implenia and HOCHTIEF was awarded a contract for the ‘733 Tunnel Ostbahnhof’, a component of the Munich S-Bahn expansion project by Deutsche Bahn, the German state-owned railway company.
